Since I read about 15-year-old Jamie Hubley's suicide, I have felt deep, deep sorrow. His agonizing search for acceptance, his lingering self-doubt, his sense of defeat that ultimately led to him taking his own life—how many other queer teens are facing these same issues and desperately needing support? How many... Continue reading

I'm sitting in an airport about to board a flight from New York to Los Angeles so I'll keep this brief. This post contains thoughts I've been circling around since I arrived Monday, but the launch of the iPhone 4S and Steve Jobs' passing tie in neatly. On Tuesday, for... Continue reading

The point is that it's easy (and ultimately silly) to bundle a whole population like the "suburbs" or "downtowners" into one reductive stereotype, and that, even if they were like that on the surface however, it is neither here nor there.
Houses that look the same aren't necessarily conformist, not any more than cocktails and Moleskins, or rooftop gardens and vegan cupcakes, or... the list goes on and on. This doesn't make the statement tacky, over-used, nor uninformed, but thanks for the spirited comment. :)

When people from downtown think of the suburbs, they tend to think of rows of identical houses, each lined up like on a factory line. So bland. So same-y. So dull. Blah! Look at that conformity, critics say snidely. Whatever happened to originality? they ask. Everything wrong about the suburbs c...

When people from downtown think of the suburbs, they tend to think of rows of identical houses, each lined up like on a factory line. So bland. So same-y. So dull. Blah! Look at that conformity, critics say snidely. Whatever happened to originality? they ask. Everything wrong about the suburbs... Continue reading

Hey Toronto! We're looking for people who love, think about, and create games for this year's Gamercamp. There are two ways to join in the fun: Showing off a game Are you working on a smart, inventive, and entertaining game? If you think your game is going to be a... Continue reading

On success So, with the scary forecast for the economy, I've been thinking of how to best protect myself in case of a downturn. I was reminded of some research I did a few years back for a SxSWi presentation on predictors of success. I decided to cobble some of... Continue reading

Fashion has always been an odd beast. On one hand the industry can be creative, relevant, and inclusive—such works of art! such plays on gender and sexuality! such a safer place for women and gays! And then on the other hand it can be reductive, soulless, and exclusive—we can pretty... Continue reading

The summer has been exciting for the game, first with a play-test at Recess.TO, then coverage from the Grid TO, and now the game will be played at Ten Oaks camp! W00t! Here are the rules to Gargoyles if you want to start up a game! Continue reading

In late August of 2001, a plane carrying the singer Aaliyah crashed shortly after taking off and took her and the rest of the passengers' lives. Upon hearing the news, I put her eponymous album on repeat and cried. Three weeks later, two planes were hijacked and rammed into the... Continue reading

Imagine a gorgeous autumn day, one where the wind gently sways the red and brown leaves on trees and the weather’s nice enough to go without a jacket, but you still need a fashionable sweater or wrap to be comfortable. I’m standing inches away from this amazing, wonderful guy, one... Continue reading

Over the past year, I've been travelling to St. James Town in the Northeast corner of Toronto's downtown core to see Toronto Community Foundation and its partners' Recipe For Community program in action. Here is a 5-minute video, commissioned by TCF, about the revitalization. Continue reading

In June I was lucky enough to test out my new game Gargoyles at the Recess.TO event held by David Fono and Katie Raynes-Goldie, a "forum for experimental games" and an inclusive, all-around fun time. Gargoyles is a turn-based physical game that plays with proximity and comfortable distances. Often, games... Continue reading

Here's a really funny series of anecdotes from the Ethnic Aisle, in time for the long weekend. I'll include my bit here but you should read the whole thing! Hey guys, It’s almost the official launch of cottage season. We’re going to be under a deluge of beer ads promising... Continue reading

I spoke at the IGDA Spring Gala, held at the TIFF Bell Lightbox, and Space was on-hand to conduct some interviews about the event. Here's the segment, as seen on InterSPACE, with myself, Mark Rabo, and Craig D Adams. If you want to catch the IGDA presentations—including mine, at 7:57—check... Continue reading

I try really, really hard to not be racist. Unfortunately, it's really, really, really (that's three 'reallys' folks!) easy to be racist. Sure, I know that not every big, black lady is going to be maternal, smell like fresh laundry, and potentially surprise me with keys to a new car... Continue reading

You gotta love how Twitter acts as a giant RSS feed bringing together information from disparate interests. One of my favourite contestants from Top Chef, Antonia Lofaso has posted her paella recipe on Twitter—while also sharing that she's spending the day watching Pillow Talk!—and I've consolidated it into one post.... Continue reading

Last night I caught the finale to Top Chef and I wanted to make something special for the occassion. I had been playing with the idea of brining chicken, a suggestion from Ian Capstick, as a way of infusing flavour into the meat. I wondered if you could brine the... Continue reading

I'm convinced part of the reason elections in Canada are so dull and draining lies in how humourless they are. There's not a sense of play at all. And it's not like we have a lot of accessible political satire to make this painful medicine go down. That's why it's... Continue reading

I spoke on my GDC experiences last week for the local IGDA meet-up. Not directly involved in game development, I went to San Francisco wanting to see what were the newest directions for the industry and what would take up its mental space for 2011. There were lots of exciting... Continue reading

I'm not very creative in the mornings. Normally, I eat some fruit or boil macaroni. The brain just isn't that happy without a couple of pots of coffee. For some reason, today all I had on my mind was frying dough. Maybe because it is so delicious, easy to make,... Continue reading

One of my favourite dishes to cook for friends is Salad Nicoise—I can't be alone in admiring the simple sophistication of it. I love the sheer variety and the lightness of the dish, while still being filling. While I find the dish far too much work for one (unless one... Continue reading